Prophets — 1994
May 30 and May 31 of 1994 saw two momentous events occur. On May 30, our beloved prophet Ezra Taft Benson died at the age of 96, following lifelong service to the Master. I was saddened by the passing of one of the Lord’s mighty servants, but I rejoiced in the fact that within God’s kingdom on earth there is order and peace. President Howard W. Hunter was ordained as our next prophet without fanfare, without political machinations, without jockeying and rivalry. President Benson left a legacy of faith and trust in the Book of Mormon, and President Hunter will now deliver the word of the Savior deemed appropriate and necessary for the Church at present. Again, many questioned the wisdom of having an elderly and somewhat feeble man assume the role of President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but we have the assurance that the Lord directs this work, and He knows full well the course He desires the Church to take. “For your thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord”. I felt the spirit with great power on October 1, 1994 during the Solemn Assembly portion of our General Conference as I stood with all High Priests to sustain President Hunter as prophet, seer, and revelator. President Hunter’s initial exhortation to the Church has been to foster greater love, patience, kindness, and charity, and he has admonished all church members to make the temple the center of our lives.
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